Mike Waltz: Trump Strikes Have Killed 74 Terrorist Leaders Planning Attacks On U.S. Soil
President Donald Trump has announced a major national security breakthrough, confirming that U.S. military forces have successfully eliminated 74 high-ranking terrorist leaders who were actively planning attacks against the United States.
The targeted strikes, carried out under Trump’s direct orders, were part of a broader effort to restore American strength abroad and stop terror threats before they reach American soil.
“These were not mid-level operatives,” Trump said. “These were senior leaders—planners, financiers, and commanders—who were preparing to harm Americans. Not anymore.”
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret and one of the most respected voices in military policy, praised the mission’s success and credited the Trump administration’s aggressive, intelligence-driven counterterrorism strategy. Waltz confirmed that the operations disrupted active plots and dismantled key cells operating across the Middle East and North Africa.
“This is a clear message to any group thinking they can harm the United States: under President Trump, we find you, we target you, and we eliminate you,” Waltz said.
The operation, conducted over several weeks, involved a combination of drone strikes, special forces raids, and precision airstrikes. According to military officials, the targets were selected based on verified intelligence linking them directly to imminent threats against U.S. embassies, military installations, and even homeland targets.
This proactive doctrine marks a sharp contrast from the previous administration’s “wait-and-respond” approach. Trump’s team has prioritized offense over defense—disrupting terror cells before they mobilize, rather than reacting after Americans are harmed.
“We’re not playing games,” Trump said. “This is about keeping our country safe and showing the world what American strength looks like again.”
The Trump administration has consistently emphasized rebuilding America’s military readiness, removing bureaucratic handcuffs from frontline commanders, and reasserting global deterrence. Since returning to office, Trump has reactivated counterterrorism strike programs and restructured the intelligence community’s rules of engagement, giving battlefield commanders the flexibility they need to succeed.
Waltz noted that many of the terrorists targeted had taken advantage of the instability created under the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, using that vacuum to rebuild networks. “This operation has reversed that momentum,” he said.
The news comes at a time when Americans are once again prioritizing national security and border protection as top issues ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Trump’s success in eliminating threats abroad is expected to bolster confidence in his leadership on the world stage.
“This is what leadership looks like,” said one senior administration official. “President Trump isn’t waiting for a tragedy—he’s preventing it.”